Kiwis among those in Gaza

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Kiwis among those in Gaza

3News NZ

moke rises following Israeli air strikes in Gaza City (Reuters)

moke rises following Israeli air strikes in Gaza City (Reuters)

By Adam Hollingworth

Foreign Affairs says four New Zealanders are registered as living in Gaza, but there could be more.

Among them is Roger Fowler, a member of a pro-Palestinian friendship group Kia Ora Gaza.

Mr Fowler is working with Briton Harry Fear, making an online documentary promoting the Palestinian cause. But with the launch of Operation Pillar of Defence, they're live streaming from an apartment in the heart of Gaza City.

“I've seen a lot of big flashes of explosions in the distance both north of Gaza City and to the northeast,” says Mr Fowler.

Mr Fowler and Mr Fear say at least 13 people have died, including two children, but Israel says Hamas is to blame for civilian casualties.

“If it happened absolutely all the responsibility is on the Hamas leadership, the Hamas people,” says Israeli ambassador to New Zealand Shemi Tzuri.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully urged cool heads to prevail to de-escalate current tensions, and he called for the incoming American administration to give its highest priority to promoting direct talks.

Labour leader David Shearer, who headed the UN's Humanitarian Office in Jerusalem for four years, says there must be a comprehensive settlement.

“You cannot keep 1.5 million locked up and effectively in a prison, unable to move freely and expect somehow there to be peace in a place,” says Mr Shearer.

Meanwhile Mr Fowler is looking for a safe way out of Gaza and is hoping the UN will soon evacuate internationals.

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Comments

21/11/2012 6:17:21 a.m.

Von wrote:

Have you ever seriously looked at a map of the middle-east Claire? There is 27 states if you will, that are considered Israel's enemies that surround this tiny strip of land that is called Israel. Israel has given up every bit of their land for Peace, any kind of Peace, from the beginning of their statehood, but their enemies simply blinded by hatred and wickedness will not hear of it.
People around the world are sympathizing with the Palestinians who by the way could move anywhere else, but didn't. They, as a matter of fact were tricked and now are being abused by their own people. What leadership would tell their soldiers to use women and children as bullet proof vest?
The world had better wake up before it is tooooooo late. The Islamic factions own everything in that region except that little tiny small piece of land called Israel. Stop fooling yourselves into thinking that this conflict is about land, or some supposed abuses. This is now and has always been about pure evil toward the Semitic people who have made many mistakes, but happen to have full support of The One True Living God, and His name is not a--ah!

17/11/2012 11:56:18 a.m.

harry wrote:

Because the so called democracies in the UN security permanent council namely UK and USA are blocking any possible peaceful resolutions that could see Israel losing the territories it gained in the 1967 war.

16/11/2012 11:33:42 a.m.

frank wrote:

I have often wondered why the UN is not involved in the Israel/ Palestinian conflict,by having troops stationed there,it seems to be the ideal place for the UN to be,anybody know why.

16/11/2012 10:38:34 a.m.

Claire wrote:

Kelvyn, the extensive, systematic and ongoing abuse of Palestinians human rights by Israel is perpetuating this cycle of violence. Maybe Israel needs to contribute to the peace process by not building settlements deemed illegal-by all members of the U.N. Security Council-except the U.S. Or is that proposition too difficult to understand?

16/11/2012 8:37:35 a.m.

Liar Liar, pants on fire wrote:

Israel is lying, the US and the UK are lying - just as did with Iraq. Israel broke a truce with an extra-judicial assassination - it is ISRAEL who began this offensive. Israel has carried out over a hundred air-strikes with firepower FAR in excess of anything the Palestinians have at their disposal. Israel has killed 15 people, and injured over 130 - the vast majority of them civilians, a high proportion of whom are women and children - while only 3 Israelis have been killed, and a few injured. Israel has targeted homes, an UNRWA school, factories, and people in public places - NOT military targets. Israel and the US manipulate public opinion to suit their agendas - don't be sheep, and follow their absurd lies which anyone with half a brain can see through. Palestine is not Iraq.

15/11/2012 9:31:09 p.m.

Anon wrote:

Kiwis are calling for an urgent protest this Saturday at 2pm at Aotea Square in response to Israels attacks on Gaza. The call has been made by GPJA and all kiwi's should attend especially in light of this news that there are Kiwis in Gaza too!

15/11/2012 9:29:50 p.m.

kelvyn wrote:

Maybe all Hamas need to do is simply stop firing rockets into Israel. Or is even that proposition to difficult to understand?

15/11/2012 9:17:50 p.m.

Aucklander wrote:

Mr Fowler is a brave human, always at the forefront in supporting the besieged Palestinians in the Gaza strip. Big ups mate, you and harry fear are doing a great job. May you return safe to your family in New Zealand.

15/11/2012 7:40:08 p.m.

the DR wrote:

the more i see of Mr shearer the more i like him. what is going on in Palestine is so wrong and the world refuses to deal with it why. will the world not deal to Israel????